2 govt teachers jailed for abusing Dalit principal over sitting on chair
Agra: A special SC/ST court in Mainpuri sentenced two govt teachers to six months in prison and imposed fines after they abused and assaulted their Dalit principal for sitting on a chair. Additional sessions judge Jay Prakash handed down the sentence to Yogendra Singh Yadav and Omprakash Lodhi. The two had taught at a govt inter college in Ramnagar. The incident took place on July 19, 2017, when principal Babu Shri Krishna Datt was in his office. The teachers entered, objected to him sitting on the chair, hurled casteist abuses and assaulted him, overturning his desk and chair. The principal, a resident of Fatehpur district, said the accused, both in their early 50s, assaulted him outside Kishni police station two days later when he went to lodge a complaint. They hurled casteist abuses again and threatened to kill him. An FIR was registered under IPC sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult) and 506 (criminal intimidation), along with section 3(1)(d) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Though the principal later turned hostile during cross-examination, the court considered his initial statement and complaint. It held that the defence had failed to explain why he would falsely implicate his colleagues and observed that he may have faced pressure to retract his statement. On Monday, the court sentenced both teachers to six months of simple imprisonment and fined each of them Rs 6,500 under the SC/ST Act, according to govt counsel MP Singh. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
UP: Dalit lawyer representing a dowry harassment case receives death threat, case filed
Bhadohi (UP), October 28 (Language) A case has been filed against the husband of a Dalit lawyer representing a dowry harassment case in Bhadohi district for allegedly using casteist slurs and threatening to kill him. Police said this on Wednesday. Police said that after investigating the complaint of lawyer Jovin Kumar (50), a resident of Sayer village in the Aurai police station area, and a phone call recording, a case was filed late Tuesday evening against the accused, Kundan Singh (25), under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Police Circle Officer Rajiv Kumar Singh said on Wednesday that Ritika Singh was married to Kundan Singh, a resident of the Maharajganj police station area in Jaunpur district, on February 6, 2026. He stated that according to the complaint, approximately ₹40 lakh was spent on the wedding, including ₹10 lakh in cash and other items. Despite this, the husband and other in-laws were allegedly harassing Ritika by demanding an additional ₹10 lakh in cash. Singh stated that on July 12th, Ritika, who was three months pregnant, was allegedly kicked in the stomach by her husband, and the next day, her in-laws also assaulted her. Following this, Ritika called the police helpline 112 and, with police assistance, reached her parents’ home. Singh stated that on July 17th, Ritika filed a case against her husband and in-laws at the Aurai police station under relevant sections, including dowry harassment and assault. The Circle Officer stated that on October 20th, advocate Jovin Kumar, who was representing the case, received a call from an unknown number warning him not to pursue the case and was allegedly subjected to casteist abuse and death threats. According to police sources, the lawyer’s colleague, Ashok Kumar Pal, and driver Ajay Kumar Yadav also recorded the call. They said that after the recording and voice matching were confirmed on October 27, a case was registered against Kundan Singh and action has been initiated for his arrest. Courtesy : Hindi News
Sahil Wakode Case: Continued police harassment of parents, APPSC questions – Why has no action been taken against the accused professor yet?
APPSC-IIT Bombay reiterated its demand for the resignation of Director Shirish Kedare and the immediate suspension of Professor Suryanarayan Dula. The organization stated that any form of state violence that attempts to suppress the fight for justice should be strongly condemned. Mumbai – The Mumbai Police and the institute administration are continuously taking action against students, activists, and parents demanding justice for the suspicious death of Sahil Wakode at IIT Bombay. The Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle, a student collective affiliated with the institute, has strongly condemned the police’s repressive approach in this sensitive matter. Attempts have been made to suppress the protests outside the main gate since September 18th through illegal detentions and the use of force. Progressive organizations allege that the state machinery and the institute administration are colluding to suppress the movement. On October 14th, several progressive organizations, under the banner of India Against Casteism, called for a “Chalo IIT Bombay” protest. A six-member delegation sought permission to meet the Director and demanded an impartial investigation into the matter and accountability for spreading false narratives and promoting a media trial. The delegation was met with excessive force by the police. Several student activists were seriously injured. The delegation later met with the Director and submitted a letter reiterating their demands for a fair investigation and accountability. On October 18th, exactly one month after Sahil’s death, the Institute resorted to police action against the students. This incident clearly demonstrates the Institute’s attitude. The Institute had made its position clear on the circumstances of the death even before any independent investigation. Those demanding justice are being met with swift and strict action, while accountability remains delayed within the Institute. Protesters say that the Institute administration is as sluggish in its investigation of the death as it is in suppressing dissent. On October 25th, several progressive organizations called for a peaceful candlelight vigil at Chaityabhoomi. Mumbai Police detained some people before the march even began. Around 50 people were detained from Chaityabhoomi and taken to the Worli, Bandra, and Tardeo police stations. After 6 p.m., women protesters were also brutally detained. Ordinary citizens were also detained without any clear reason. Despite this police action, people were able to hold a march in memory of Sahil and reaffirm their resolve to continue the fight for justice. Sahil’s parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, have been on an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan since September 28th. They too have been repeatedly harassed and detained several times. Upon arriving in Mumbai on October 19th, they refused to accept their son’s body until Professor Suryanarayan Dolla was arrested. Subsequently, senior Mumbai Police officials pressured them to change their mind. When they returned to Mumbai after the funeral in Yavatmal, the police kept them in isolation for two days. During this time, even their family members were unable to reach them. The parents repeatedly requested permission to visit the IIT Bombay campus, but were denied each time. On October 18, he was detained inside the campus. He faced multiple rounds of detention and constant harassment even for seeking permission to hold a peaceful protest at Azad Maidan. After 6 p.m., the police would take him away, sometimes dropping him off at the roadside instead of home. Several progressive organizations, including the APPSC, have strongly condemned these incidents. They say this is an example of caste dominance within the state and institutions. Police preventive actions turn any gathering into a protest. The police seem to be deciding who can gather at places like Chaityabhoomi. The organizations allege that higher educational institutions are acting as “death machines” for marginalized students. When this reality is publicly highlighted, both the state police and the institution administration resort to repression. APPSC has unequivocally demanded the resignation of Director Shirish Kedare and the immediate suspension of Professor Suryanarayan Dula. The organization has stated that any form of state violence that attempts to suppress the fight for justice must be strongly condemned. The protesters are reiterating their resolve to continue the fight for justice for Sahil Wakode. They say that raising voices against historical injustice and opposing current social exclusion is part of the fundamental spirit of democracy. FIR and Investigation Progress Following a complaint from Sahil’s father, the Powai police registered an FIR against the accused, Professor Suryanarayan Dulla, under the charges of harassment and caste discrimination (SC/ST Act and abetment to suicide). Given the seriousness of the case, the investigation was later transferred to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch. The Crime Branch has so far recorded statements from over 40 people, including the institute’s director, relevant professors, classmates, and teachers. The main accused, Professor Suryanarayan Dulla, was interrogated rigorously for approximately eight hours. In his statement, the professor denied all allegations against him. Police are examining CCTV footage of the examination hall and the records of the institute’s SC/ST Cell. Additionally, the police are attempting to recover data from Sahil’s locked iPhone to gather digital evidence. Concurrent with the police investigation, the IIT Bombay administration has removed the accused, Professor Suryanarayan Dulla, from his position as Dean of Administration and placed him on leave. The institute has also formed a committee to conduct an internal investigation into the matter. Sahil’s parents are currently not fully satisfied with the police investigation so far, as the accused professor has not been arrested, and are preparing to approach the Bombay High Court demanding a fair investigation. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Won the election but was deprived of her rights for four and a half years: Learn what happened to a Dalit woman, a Tamil Nadu panchayat president.
On August 31st, Malarvizhi arrived at the Villupuram Collectorate with her petition and attempted to set herself on fire. Villupuram – A Dalit woman is in the news these days, alleging that despite being elected as panchayat president, she was denied rights such as the chair, office keys, hoisting the flag, and signing checks. Malarvizhi, the president of the Kodungal Panchayat in Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu, belongs to the Scheduled Caste and was elected in 2021. She alleges that she was not allowed to sit on the chair, was prevented from entering the office and hoisting the national flag, and was obstructed from exercising administrative powers. Alleging caste discrimination, Malarvizhi says she was prevented from participating in panchayat-related work for nearly four and a half years. Hurt by this treatment, she attempted to set herself on fire at the Villupuram Collectorate on August 31st. The police stopped her from setting herself on fire, after which she was allowed to submit her application to the collector. What is the whole matter? Malravizhi was elected Panchayat President in 2021. She alleges that Kathavarayan, a local DMK official known to her husband, persuaded her to contest the election. She was initially hesitant, but later went ahead. She had no idea what lay ahead. Despite being the Panchayat President, she was unable to perform her duties due to lack of check signing authority. She was sidelined, and other people took over the Panchayat’s public works. According to a TNM ground report, Malaravizhi complained to the Tehsildar that she was not allowed to work, hoist the national flag, or handle the office keys, and requested permission to sign checks. After nearly four and a half years of persistent discrimination, she was finally allowed to sit in the President’s chair, received the office keys, and hoisted the tricolor. However, her demands for the right to sign checks and pass resolutions remained unfulfilled. According to local media reports, Malarvizhi accused Vice President Muniyammal and her brother Kathavarayan of obstructing her independent decisions through their influence on other elected members. Whenever she attempted to exercise her authority, she was threatened with removal from office through a no-confidence motion. Payments for public works completed under her leadership were withheld. Instead of taking action on her complaints, officials allegedly advised her to “settle” with the accused. She also alleged that she was pressured to accept alleged commissions of over 10 lakh rupees for MNREGA work. On August 31, Malarvizhi arrived at the Villupuram Collectorate with her petition and attempted to set herself on fire. Police intervened before she could do so, and she was subsequently allowed to file another petition demanding an investigation. She demanded restoration of her rights, release of payments for completed works, and an investigation into those accused of discrimination, intimidation, and interference. District Collector Sheikh Abdul Rahman stated that the district administration has empowered him to sign checks. He also stated that upon providing proper evidence of caste discrimination, the Deputy Superintendent of Police will file a case and take action. Cases of Caste Discrimination in Tamil Nadu Even Earlier 2022: In a survey conducted by the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) in 24 districts, many Dalit Panchayat presidents were not even allowed to hoist the national flag. According to an IANS report, Dalit presidents were denied seats in 22 of the 386 panchayats surveyed. 2020: In Attupakkam village, Tiruvallur, V. Amritham, a Scheduled Caste president, was prevented from hoisting the tricolor on Independence Day. Five days later, she hoisted the flag in the presence of the Collector and Superintendent of Police. The vice-president’s husband and the Panchayat Secretary were arrested. Terku Tittai village: President S. After a photo of Rajeshwari sitting on the ground went viral, a case was filed against the Vice President and Secretary under the SC/ST Act. In Maharashtra, a Dalit woman Sarpanch’s husband was murdered due to political rivalry. Cases of discrimination against Dalit women Sarpanchs are not limited to Tamil Nadu; in 2018, a high-profile case of the murder of the Sarpanch’s husband occurred in Parwa village, Yavatmal district, Maharashtra. In April 2015, Nalini Mahesh Gawande, belonging to the Buddhist (Dalit) community, was elected as a member of the Parwa Gram Panchayat. Following the passage of a no-confidence motion against the then Sarpanch in January 2016, Nalini Gawande became the Sarpanch from the general category. Some influential and upper-class members of the village were unhappy with a Dalit woman becoming the Sarpanch from the general category. This political and caste rivalry deepened her conflict with another faction in the village. As a result of this rivalry, in 2018, Mahesh Gawande, the husband of Sarpanch Nalini Gawande, was brutally murdered in broad daylight in the village. This incident sent shockwaves throughout the Yavatmal district. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Why Abhijeet Dipke Defies Dalit Leadership Stereotype: Harish Wankhede Explains
Wankhede describes why Dipke has tasted unique success and how it presents a new possibility in Dalit leadership. Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder’s success as a mainstream leader in the youth-led NEET protests in June-July, going beyond and along with his caste identity has presented a unique possibility in Indian politics, says Harish Wankhede, assistant professor, Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. In an interview with The Wire’s senior political correspondent Sravasti Dasgupta, Wankhede describes why Dipke has tasted unique success, how it presents a new possibility in Dalit leadership, how the CJP’s October protests against the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar failed to gather mass momentum, why the BJP was better prepared in comparison to July and the many challenges that lay ahead for Dipke and the CJP. Sravasti Dasgupta Courtesy : The Wire Note: This news is originally published on https:/thewire.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
MP: Minor Dalit Girl’s Clothes Allegedly Torn During Assault Over Land Dispute
A video showing three women, including a minor schoolgirl, allegedly being assaulted by a group of men over a land dispute in Madhya Pradesh’s Guna district has surfaced on social media. The incident reportedly took place on October 19 under the jurisdiction of the Cantt police station. According to the complaint, the accused allegedly dragged the women into a house, assaulted them, tore the minor girl’s clothes, hurled caste based abuses and threatened to kill them if they returned to the disputed field. Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The accused are being searched for, according to police. Family Was Heading to Police Station Over Missing Maize In her complaint, the Class 10 student said her family had been involved in a long standing land dispute with a villager identified as Gajram Yadav. On October 19, around 6:30 am, the family discovered that four to five piles of maize stored in their field were missing. The student’s father, Kok Singh, brother Hari Singh and maternal uncle Balistir Ahirwar left on a motorcycle to report the matter to the police. The student later set out for the police station with her mother, Tulsabai, and sister in law, Seema Ahirwar, carrying documents related to the land. According to the complaint, the three women were intercepted near Gajram Yadav’s house by Gajram, Lallu Yadav, Ramkumar Yadav and Dharmendra Yadav. Minor Girl Allegedly Assaulted, Clothes Torn The complaint alleges that the men forcibly dragged the women into a house and assaulted them with kicks, punches and slaps. The minor student reportedly sustained injuries to her head, back and arms, while her mother and sister in law also suffered injuries. Ramkumar Yadav allegedly tore the student’s clothes during the assault. The accused also allegedly used caste based slurs and threatened to kill the family if they returned to the disputed field. Hearing the women’s cries, a Dial 112 police vehicle reached the spot and took them to the police station. Father, Brother and Maternal Uncle Also Allegedly Attacked Police later learnt that the student’s father, brother and maternal uncle had also allegedly been assaulted by the accused while they were on their way to report the missing maize. CSP Saifa Hashmi said a case had been registered on the basis of the written complaint and statements. Police are searching for the accused. Courtesy : TOP Note: This news is originally published on https:/theobserverpost.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Ayodhya News: Three-and-a-half-year sentence for Dalit harassment
Ayodhya. The court has convicted Prem Nath Mishra, the accused, in a case of assaulting a Dalit man and using casteist slurs. Special SC-ST Act Judge Deepak Yadav on Monday sentenced the accused to three years and six months’ imprisonment and a fine of 14,000 rupees. The case occurred in Sumerpur village, under the Kumarganj police station area, in 2012. According to the prosecution, Hub Lal was returning home from the fields at around 8 a.m. on December 9th. Prem Nath Mishra chased him, assaulted him with sticks, and insulted him with casteist slurs. He was also allegedly threatened with death. Hub Lal’s nephew Vinod and his brother’s wife, Dhela, who tried to intervene, were also assaulted, resulting in injuries. During the trial, the 73-year-old victim, Hub Lal, recorded his statement in court. The prosecution presented seven witnesses. Based on the statements of witnesses and the available evidence, the judge convicted Prem Nath Mishra and sentenced him. Courtesy: Hindi News
FIR against 2 for molesting Dalit woman
Pilibhit: An FIR was registered against two men for allegedly molesting a 30-year-old Dalit woman, hurling casteist slurs at her and threatening to kill her in Pilibhit, police said on Monday. The incident took place on Oct 23 when the woman had gone with her cousin to use a toilet near a village pond, about 700m from her home. The accused, both farmers from the Thakur community, allegedly caught hold of her and molested her. Hearing her cries for help, two women from the village rushed to the spot, prompting the men to flee. The accused also allegedly hurled casteist slurs at the survivor and threatened to kill her. The woman’s father, an ITBP constable posted in New Delhi, returned to his native village after learning about the incident and approached police on Oct 26. The survivor also submitted a written complaint, following which the FIR was registered on Monday evening. The father told TOI that theirs was the only Dalit household in the village, where most residents belonged to upper castes, and that the family had faced repeated harassment by influential villagers. Officiating station house officer Neeraj Singh Tomar said, “An FIR was registered against the accused under BNS Sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 74 (assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 352 (intentional insult), 351(3) (criminal intimidation) and relevant sections of the SC/ST Act.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Why were Dr. Sequeira, who left Mumbai to serve tribal communities and Dalit activist Laxman Naik arrested? What do civil society groups say?
Doctor and community health worker Randall Sequeira and Dalit activist Laxman Naik were arrested on October 16th amid anti-bauxite mining protests in Odisha. New Delhi – Dr. Randall Sequeira and Dalit activist Laxman Naik, who provide health care to tribal communities in Odisha’s Kalahandi district, were arrested on the night of October 16th. Both are currently in judicial custody at the Rayagada sub-jail. Police have charged them with connection to a violent clash in April 2026. Police say Sequeira was inciting tribals against the government and Naik was misleading people, while human rights organizations and civil society groups have questioned the process and motive behind the arrests. On October 16th, around 10:45–11:00 pm, police arrived in two jeeps at Dr. Sequeira’s home in Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi, where Naik was also staying. According to the Orissa Post, police, acting on a tip-off, arrested the two men from their rented house on the night of October 16th. Several officers were in civilian clothes. Their mobile phones were snatched and they were taken to the Bhawanipatna Town Police Station. Their whereabouts were unknown to their families and lawyers from 6 a.m. until around 6:30 p.m. on October 17th. That evening, they were produced before the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate of Rayagada and remanded to judicial custody for 15 days. According to the police, the arrests were made in connection with Case No. 85/2026 of the Kashipur Police Station. The case relates to a violent clash that occurred on the night of April 6–7, 2026, in Kantamal (Kutamal) village in Rayagada district. Police entered the village in connection with a road project for Vedanta’s proposed Sijimali bauxite mine. Villagers alleged lathicharge and tear gas, while police claim protesters attacked them. According to the police, lathicharge and tear gas were used to disperse the crowd, injuring several people and police officers. The incident was related to a protest against the construction of an access road to the Sijimali bauxite reserve. Police say Dr. Sequeira and Laxman Nayak were not named in the original FIR, but their role emerged during the investigation. Dr. Sequeira and Laxman Nayak face charges of attempt to murder, rioting with a deadly weapon, robbery, and criminal intimidation with a threat to kill. A police officer also stated that a case has been registered under the attempt to murder, rioting, and the Arms Act. Human rights and tribal rights organizations have called the arrests wrong and illegal, demanding their release. The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), the Concerned Citizens Committee Odisha, the Medico Friends Circle, and other organizations have condemned the arrests. They allege that the arrests were made without a warrant or reason and are part of a conspiracy to suppress the protests against Sijimali bauxite mining. They say that dozens of cases have been filed in the area in the past three years, and hundreds of tribal and Dalit people have been jailed. According to a statement from the Medico Friends Circle, both were held overnight without a warrant, arrest memo, or reason, and were denied access to lawyers or family. According to the organization, neither was named in the original FIR, and Sequera already has anticipatory bail in another case. PUCL condemned the arrests. It says this is the latest in a series of arrests of Dalit and tribal leaders protesting against Vedanta’s mine in Sijimali. Activists claim that more than 100 Dalit and tribal people have been arrested and 43 cases filed since the protests began in 2023. Southwest Range DIG Akhileshwar Singh told PTI that the arrested people were not innocent. According to him, Dr. Sequera was inciting tribals against the government instead of providing medical services, and Naik was misleading people. He said that many doctors work in Kalahandi and Rayagada, but only Dr. Sequeira was arrested. Regarding the allegations of torture, he said that neither of them filed any such complaint with the magistrate in court. Another official said that the two were not named in the FIR, but their involvement came to light during subsequent investigations. According to RTFC, an organization based in Rayagada-Kalahandi, the Odisha High Court had previously quashed the district order prohibiting Sequeira from entering Rayagada. Sequeira’s mother, Nancy Sequeira, said that her son was fighting for the rights and dignity of tribals and she hopes for justice. The Sijimali hill region has been in dispute over bauxite mining since 2023. Local communities have been claiming to protect their rights to water, forest, and land. Background of the Sijimali Dispute In 2023, Odisha auctioned the Sijimali bauxite block, spread across Rayagada and Kalahandi, to Vedanta Limited. According to a report, the lease covers approximately 1,549 hectares and is expected to produce approximately 9 million tons of bauxite annually for 50 years. Villagers allege that the Gram Sabha’s consent was obtained through forged signatures. According to the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, the resolutions from the alleged Gram Sabha meetings of December 8, 2023, were forged. A Worrying Trend of Criminalizing Democratic Protest Dr. Sequeira (39) was born in Karnataka and grew up in Mumbai. He completed his MBBS from St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru. He moved to Kalahandi in 2017. He organized health camps in remote tribal villages, treated pregnant women and malnourished children, and helped local students prepare for medical entrance exams. He was involved with the Medico Friend Circle and the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan. Laxman Nayak is a Dalit activist associated with the Maa Mati Mali Suraksha Manch and the Samajwadi Jan Parishad. He is also a martial arts trainer. The Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) strongly condemned the arrests of Dr. Randall Sequeira and Laxman Nayak. The organization stated that these arrests should be seen in the context of the continued imprisonment of Lada Sikaka, president of the Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti, and Lingaraj Azad, advisor to the Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti and Maa Mati Mali Suraksha Manch. The detention of several activists associated with movements protecting tribal land and natural resources reflects a worrying trend of criminalizing democratic
Holiday on Valmiki Jayanti in UP: A Strategy to Strengthen Outreach to the Dalit Community Before 2027?
The Dalit vote bank has long played a decisive role in Uttar Pradesh politics. With the 2027 Assembly elections in sight, the BJP is also eyeing this major social segment. The Yogi government’s major decision regarding Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti is considered significant from a political perspective ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. With the announcement of a public holiday today, the government will celebrate Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti in all 75 districts. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will attend a program organized in Kanpur on this occasion. Focus on the Dalit Community The Dalit vote bank has long played a decisive role in Uttar Pradesh politics. With the 2027 Assembly elections in sight, the BJP is also eyeing this major social segment. The statewide celebrations of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti can be seen as an attempt to strengthen socio-cultural ties among the Dalit community. The Special Significance of Valmiki Jayanti Maharishi Valmiki holds a special place in Indian tradition, and his birth anniversary holds special significance among the Valmiki community. Therefore, organizing events in all 75 districts of the state, and the Chief Minister personally attending the events, reflects the government’s priority. All Eyes on Dalit Voters Winning Dalit voters will be crucial for all major political parties in the 2027 elections. While the BJP may seek to expand its reach through social representation and cultural events, the SP is relying on its PDA alliance, and the BSP on its traditional Dalit base. Tough Competition in the 2027 Elections Ahead of the 2027 elections, all major parties are competing to woo Dalit voters: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Attempts to unite Dalits under a broader Hindu identity and development agenda through cultural events, development of the Valmiki Circuit/Bithoor, and social harmony. Samajwadi Party (SP): Under its PDA (Backward, Dalit, Minority) alliance, it is engaged in organizing the Dalit community on the issue of social justice and representation. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP): The BSP is continuously emphasizing cadre camps and organizational expansion at the grassroots level to keep its traditional Dalit core vote bank united and prevent it from shifting. Congress: The Congress is also trying to reconnect with Dalits and underprivileged communities through programs in the districts on the occasion of birth anniversaries of great personalities. Pankaj Chaturvedi | Edited By: Prashant Kumar Singh Pankaj Chaturvedi has over a decade of experience in journalism. He has been covering national and Uttar Pradesh politics. His journalistic journey began with Amar Ujala and Punjab Kesari in Delhi. Courtesy: Hindi News